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    #1

    Hoping to buy E30 soon

    I think this topic goes here, or if it doesn't, mods please move.

    Hey guys, I'd like to say its nice to now be part of the r3vlimited community! I'm a former Benz owner (still a great fan), but I've always loved BMW's also (especially e30's)

    So.. I had a '03 C240 that I sold for $6,000 (wanted to get rid of it, rebuilt title :/ ) I then purchased a truck which I have in the shop at the moment and will want to sell it. The truck's retail is about 20k KBB, but average private party is about $17,700. For the time being, i'm kinda planning what route to go on once I sell my truck and get an E30.

    I'm trying to stay under a $5-6k budget with my E30.. So, here is what I've found out so far:

    1. I found a guy in Dallas that does swaps for E30s. He said he knows where to get a complete S52/ZF for $3000. Fair price? He said his labor will be about $2,500 to do the swap. He also said maybe have some extra money for goodies, such as a clutch, etc..

    It all sounds so tempting, but it's going to make me put a bit of money into the E30 (let's say I find a nice shell or something for $500-$1000)


    2. I just found out my uncle has a e36 rolled over in the backyard with a M52 in it. He said $500 and it's yours. Thing is.. its automatic and I would really rather have manual, causing me to have to also swap the trans + get a flywheel/fork/pressure plate and other things that are needed :/ I figured this was a good idea because the engine was just $500, but in the end, it might not even be worth it to swap it..? I'm not exactly sure, but i'm really curious of what you guys think.

    3. Just buy a 325i E30 with the M20 and just turbocharge that. I asked the guy from Dallas and he said "been there done that" and kinda said it wouldnt really be worth it and then sorta tried to convince me that the S52 was a lot better.

    4. Or just buy a e30 already swapped or turbo'd! But they tend to be expensive.. and I don't want hidden problems either or something like that

    What do you guys think? What's the best bang for the buck? What's best in the long run? What's your advice?
    SOLD - 2003 C240

    "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow
    Tags: None
    #2
    Less is more. See how you like a nice running stock or near stock car then do plenty of research into the exact mods that interest you and then do it once and do it right.


    NOTE: I have disregarded my own advice many times with mixed results.
    Last edited by Bearmw; 08-03-2011, 05:04 PM. Reason: more inf
    Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. -Mark Twain

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      #3
      Originally posted by Bearmw View Post
      Less is more. See how you like a nice running stock or near stock car then do plenty of research into the exact mods that interest you and then do it once and do it right.


      NOTE: I have disregarded my own advice many times with mixed results.
      I also have disregarded this mans advice with mixed results.
      Often fatal results.
      For the project.


      Leave Me Transaction Feedback

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        #4
        The thing is, closest experience to these cars was driving a manual e36. So I'm kinda starting fresh.
        SOLD - 2003 C240

        "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

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          #5
          I would go turbo. i have been hankering for one lately and huge numbers are easily achievable. If you go turbo, then either build the m20 for it or swap the m52 in then turbo it for the absolute best power. The m20 is great with a turbo though. Also do the work yourself if you can, it will save a lot of money and you will learn the ins and outs of your car in the long run.

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by 325ix View Post
            I would go turbo. i have been hankering for one lately and huge numbers are easily achievable. If you go turbo, then either build the m20 for it or swap the m52 in then turbo it for the absolute best power. The m20 is great with a turbo though. Also do the work yourself if you can, it will save a lot of money and you will learn the ins and outs of your car in the long run.

            That's exactly what I said. I love turbos, and especially the blow off sounds. (Call me rice, I don't care lmao)

            I've been told M20s makes decent boost and can push out LOTS of power. Is it possible to push out 250-350hp for not too much money?





            For the M52, I think it'd be awesome to swap that in, and then if I can, turbo it and have a really fast e30 :) But the drawbacks are.. It's auto, so I bet it'll cost quite a bit for a manual swap :/ But I've heard M52's aren't that expensive?

            and idk if i'll be able to do it myself.. Honestly, I'm only 16. It's just me and a family member (who's 20 and has some good experience and knowledge with these cars) that is interested in these cars and swaps. He's been really cool and encouraging me on this car/swap thing.

            I found a guy in Dallas that said he'll do a swap for $2,500 for his labor. I don't know if that's a lot or not.. so help?
            SOLD - 2003 C240

            "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

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              #7
              Found out the M52 has only 70k miles!
              SOLD - 2003 C240

              "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

              Comment

                #8
                I don't really see why you would swap an M20 for an M52. For all that work/money there is not much gain.

                Oh and with the right internals a turboed M20 can make quite a bit of power (IIRC this one had an M20):

                1992 BMW 525iT Calypso
                2011 Jeep Wrangler

                Comment

                  #9
                  im really happy with the power out put of my car. pretty much stock m20 and chip. getting an LSD and real nice suspension just make it fun enough not to kill you but to scare you just a tad.

                  but the m20 is just a meh engine. unless you do a full rebuild on one there's always little problems(leaks and stuff breaking)

                  ive lost track of how many times my 2 e30s have been towed...
                  Much wow
                  I hate 4 doors

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Would I still have to rebuild the engine if it only has 70k miles?
                    SOLD - 2003 C240

                    "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

                    Comment

                      #11
                      You can get the labor on the swap a lot cheaper! Build it yourself so no secrets

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Yeah, I think i'm deciding on swapping myself with my uncle. Hopefully with enough research, we'll come through.
                        SOLD - 2003 C240

                        "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

                        Comment

                          #13
                          a s5x swapped e30, in the hands of someone inexperienced in driving a car that is as raw as the e30 is, will kill themselves if they don't learn the car first.

                          its like jumping on a gsxr 1000 as your first bike and had only ridden BMX before hand

                          just my humble opinion. too much power before you're used to these cars, no electronic helper friends to keep you planted... its just asking to be a statistic

                          edit: you're 16??? this car WILL kill you. Get it stock and learn slowly. Rome wasn't built in a day, and if you oversteer and panic, you'll be dead in a boosted m52/s5x etc etc etc
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                          http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=216119

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                            #14
                            I plan on driving the car stock for a bit (if the car runs on its own)

                            because I was kinda planning on buying a roller then swapping.
                            SOLD - 2003 C240

                            "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Right now I kinda narrowed my options..

                              Either turbo the M20 in an E30

                              or

                              Swap the M52 into it, and MAYBE turbo it. I don't know if i'll turbo it if I get the M52 in it, very iffy.
                              SOLD - 2003 C240

                              "A male Gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who has never owned a car." -Carrie P. Snow

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